READER DEAR READERS,

I hope you’re all enjoying the late winter we’ve been blessed with. Schweitzer has been excellent, so don’t delay getting a few more turns in before the end of the season.

I’d like to invite you all to attend an open town hall meeting on Monday, March 20 from 5-7 p.m. at the Sandpoint Library community meeting room B.The Reader is hosting this town hall to give the public a chance to discuss and hear information about the Couplet plan that has been in the news in recent weeks. We’ve invited some former city staff members to give a presentation on their experience with the Curve plan which Sandpoint City Council rejected over a decade ago, as well as detailed discussions of how the Couplet would affect Sandpoint. We’ll also distribute surveys to those in attendance so our voices will be heard.

After the town hall, the Reader will compile all the information gathered and present it to the Sandpoint City Council at their next available meeting in an attempt to make sure our elected leaders have every opportunity to hear feedback from the public before making any permanent decisions.

–Ben Olson, publisher

111 Cedar Street, Suite 9 Sandpoint, ID 83864 (208) 946-4368 www.sandpointreader.com

Publisher: Ben Olson ben@sandpointreader.com

Editorial: Zach Hagadone (Editor) zach@sandpointreader.com

Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey (News Editor) lyndsie@sandpointreader.com

Cameron Rasmusson (emeritus) John Reuter (emeritus)

Advertising: Kelsey Kizer kelsey@sandpointreader.com

Contributing Artists: William Preuss (cover), Ben Olson, Kally Thurman, Cynthia Mason, Jon Hagadone, Denise Zembryki, Stuart Berg Concert Photography, Bill Borders, Jen Heller

Contributing Writers: Zach Hagadone, Ben Olson, Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey, Lorraine H. Marie, Brenden Bobby, Sen. James Ruchti, Sen. Melissa Wintrow, Mike Wagoner, Marcia Pilgeram, Sandy Compton, Clark Corbin, Jen Heller

Submit stories to: stories@sandpointreader.com

Printed weekly at: Tribune Publishing Co. Lewiston, ID

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Web Content: Keokee

The Sandpoint Reader is a weekly publication owned and operated by Ben Olson and Keokee. It is devoted to the arts, entertainment, politics and lifestyle in and around Sandpoint, Idaho.

We hope to provide a quality alternative by offering honest, in-depth reporting that reflects the intelligence and interests of our diverse and growing community. The Reader is printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink. Leftover copies are collected and recycled weekly, or burned in massive bonfires to appease the gods of journalism. Free to all, limit two copies per person

SandpointReader letter policy: The Sandpoint Reader welcomes letters to the editor on all topics.

Requirements:

–No more than 300 words –Letters may not contain excessive profanity or libelous material. Please elevate the discussion. Letters will be edited to comply with the above requirements. Opinions expressed in these pages are those of the writers, not necessarily the publishers.

Email letters to: letters@sandpointreader.com

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About the Cover

This week’s cover photo is by William Preuss of his granddaughter Faye and Molly the dog playing in freshly fallen snow.